Italian Fascism

Post-WW I Economic Crisis In 1920 the Italian Socialist Party organized militant strikes in Turin and other northern Italian industrial cities. Economic chaos in the north could spread to the rest of Italy!

Fascist Rise in Post-WW I Italy Hundreds of new fascist groups developed throughout Italy in response  “Black Shirts” [paramilitary squadriste] violently attacked the Socialists.

Definition of Fascism Fascism is the totalitarian philosophy of government that glorifies the state and nation and assigns to the state control over every aspect of national life.

The State not only is authority which governs and molds individual will with laws and values of spiritual life, but it is also power which makes its will prevail abroad… Enciclopedia Italiana, 1932.

The Fasces Symbol Comes from the Latin word fasces. In ancient Rome, the fasces were cylindrical bundles of wooden rods, tied tightly together around an axe. They symbolize unity and power.

The Myth of Rebirth Emphasis on a national or racial rebirth after a period of decline or destruction. Calls for a “spiritual revolution” against signs of moral decay [such as individualism and materialism]. Seeks to purge “alien” forces and groups that threaten the organic community.

Militarism

Controlled Mass Media

Identification of Enemies or Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe.

Mussolini Was Hitler’s Role Model